Basic Political Theory Basic Political Theory and Historical Rootsand Historical Roots

The Basic UnitThe Basic Unit

►The foundational political unit in The foundational political unit in the world is the the world is the statestate Body of people in a territory with Body of people in a territory with

a government that has no higher a government that has no higher authorityauthority

Examples: Mexico, Russia, Examples: Mexico, Russia, Canada, the United States are all Canada, the United States are all statesstates

The 4 Characteristics of a The 4 Characteristics of a StateState

►PopulationPopulation►TerritoryTerritory►SovereigntySovereignty►GovernmentGovernment

Vice-President Joe Biden

How Did States Evolve?How Did States Evolve?

►Theory #1 -Theory #1 -ForceForce One group One group

took control by took control by force and force and imposed their imposed their will upon otherswill upon others

How Did States Evolve?How Did States Evolve?►Theory #2 – EvolutionaryTheory #2 – Evolutionary

Heads of families became heads Heads of families became heads of clans as the families grew, of clans as the families grew, eventually leading to a network of eventually leading to a network of tribes that formed statestribes that formed states

How Did States Evolve?How Did States Evolve?

►Theory #3 – Theory #3 – Divine RightDivine Right 1515thth through 18 through 18thth

centuries, Western centuries, Western world believed world believed God gave certain God gave certain people a “divine people a “divine right” to rule over right” to rule over othersothers

How Did States Evolve?How Did States Evolve?

►Theory #4 – Theory #4 – Social ContractSocial Contract Theory was Theory was

developed by developed by John Locke, John Locke, Thomas Thomas Hobbes, and Hobbes, and Jean Jacque Jean Jacque RousseauRousseauJohn Locke

(1632-1704)

How Did States Evolve?How Did States Evolve?

►Theory #4 – Theory #4 – Social Social ContractContract Free people Free people

decided to form decided to form states to keep states to keep themselves themselves safesafeJohn Locke

(1632-1704)

SO WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL,

ROSS?!

The Big Deal is:The Big Deal is:

►So if people formed So if people formed states to serve their own states to serve their own interests, then interests, then government exists to government exists to

serve serve the peoplethe people

Purpose of GovernmentPurpose of Government

► Based on the social contract theory, the Based on the social contract theory, the purpose of American government is to:purpose of American government is to: Form a More Perfect Form a More Perfect UnionUnion Establish Establish JusticeJustice Insure Insure Domestic TranquilityDomestic Tranquility Provide for the Common Provide for the Common DefenseDefense Promote the Promote the General WelfareGeneral Welfare Secure the Blessings of Secure the Blessings of LibertyLiberty

Different Forms of Different Forms of GovernmentGovernment

► Classified based on Classified based on Who Can ParticipateWho Can Participate Democracy - “Government of the people, by Democracy - “Government of the people, by

the people, for the people”the people, for the people”►Direct - people make policy themselvesDirect - people make policy themselves►Indirect - people vote for others who will Indirect - people vote for others who will

make policy (also called make policy (also called republicrepublic))

Different Forms of Different Forms of GovernmentGovernment

► Classified based on Classified based on Who Can ParticipateWho Can Participate Dictatorship – government is not accountable to Dictatorship – government is not accountable to

anyoneanyone►Autocracy – single person holds unlimited Autocracy – single person holds unlimited

powerpower►Oligarchy – a small, self-appointed group rulesOligarchy – a small, self-appointed group rules

Different Forms of Different Forms of GovernmentGovernment

► Classified based on Classified based on Geographic Distribution Geographic Distribution of Powerof Power Unitary – one Unitary – one

national government, national government, smaller lower units smaller lower units have little or no say have little or no say in policyin policy►Examples : Israel, Examples : Israel,

Great Britain, Great Britain, FranceFrance

Different Forms of Different Forms of GovernmentGovernment

► Classified based on Classified based on Geographic Geographic Distribution of PowerDistribution of Power Federal – smaller Federal – smaller

units share power units share power with the central with the central national governmentnational government►Examples : Examples :

Mexico, Canada, Mexico, Canada, AustraliaAustralia

Different Forms of Different Forms of GovernmentGovernment

► Classified based on Classified based on Geographic Distribution Geographic Distribution of Powerof Power Confederal – smaller Confederal – smaller

regional governments regional governments hold the most power, hold the most power, united by a weak united by a weak central governmentcentral government►Examples : Examples :

European Union, European Union, Confederate StatesConfederate States

Different Forms of Different Forms of GovernmentGovernment

► Classified based on Classified based on Relationship between Relationship between Legislative Legislative (people writing the laws) (people writing the laws) and and Executive Executive (people enforcing the laws)(people enforcing the laws) Presidential – voters Presidential – voters separately elect separately elect

Executive and Legislative branchExecutive and Legislative branch membersmembers

Different Forms of Different Forms of GovernmentGovernment

►Classified based on Classified based on Relationship Relationship between Legislative and Executive between Legislative and Executive BranchesBranches Parliamentary – Executive is chosen Parliamentary – Executive is chosen

from the Legislative branchfrom the Legislative branch

Basic Concepts of DemocracyBasic Concepts of Democracy

►Worth of the IndividualWorth of the Individual►Equality of All PersonsEquality of All Persons

Not necessarily equal Not necessarily equal conditions, but strive for conditions, but strive for equal opportunityequal opportunity

Basic Concepts of DemocracyBasic Concepts of Democracy

►Majority Rule, Minority Majority Rule, Minority RightsRights

►Necessity of CompromiseNecessity of Compromise►Individual FreedomIndividual Freedom

Free EnterpriseFree Enterprise

►Free Free Enterprise is Enterprise is the economic the economic system that system that allows most allows most democracies to democracies to work.work.

Free EnterpriseFree Enterprise

►Four factors of a Four factors of a free enterprise free enterprise system:system:Private ownershipPrivate ownership Individual Individual initiativeinitiative

ProfitProfitCompetitionCompetition

How it WorksHow it Works

►The Law of Supply and DemandThe Law of Supply and Demand When supply is high or demand is When supply is high or demand is

low, prices are lowlow, prices are low When supply is low or demand is When supply is low or demand is

high, prices are highhigh, prices are high These are market forces. If These are market forces. If

consumers want things or not, consumers want things or not, consumers decide…consumers decide…

Where does Government Fit Where does Government Fit in?in?

►Government always plays a role Government always plays a role in regulating an economyin regulating an economyGovernments can fully control Governments can fully control an economy, or let it be freean economy, or let it be free

The U.S. uses a The U.S. uses a mixed mixed economyeconomy, to protect the public , to protect the public and preserve private ownershipand preserve private ownership